Recovery Michigan

Controversies surround Gulf War Illness research. For one there is a false perception that the research only concerns psychosomatic illness. However, that supposition is decidedly not the case. For more than 10 years, VA research on Gulf War Illness has consisted of strictly biologic and not psychosomatic studies. Both VA and Department of Defense (DoD) research have identified abnormalities in the brainand exercise abnormalities, which confirm the physical and not psychosomatic basis of Gulf War Illness, certain effective treatments (exercise, cognitive therapies, nighttime positive pressure breathing), and clues to biomarkers. However, it has not nearly filled the many gaps in knowledge on exposures or their treatments.

Industry research on Gulf War Illness has also been limited. Perhaps therapies for Gulf War Illness could also be effective in more common pain and intestinal syndromes, providing a larger population for such treatments.

Because research has not discovered very many treatments for Gulf War Illness, the clinical approach is generally directed towards treating symptoms. As noted above, exercise and nighttime positive pressure breathing can be specifically effective treatment for the symptoms of Gulf War Illness including pain. The use of cognitive-type therapies is a sensitive topic for Gulf War veterans because of the historic perception of psychosomatic causation. However, cognitive therapies and mindfulness, which are often effective in serious conditions like cancer pain, have been proven effective for Gulf War Illness as well.

A new study from researchers at the University of Glasgow in the UK shows what many medical cannabis patients have already discovered: Cannabis oil helps with neuropathy.

THC/CBD spray was administered to 128 patients, and a placebo was given to 118 people in the control group. The patients who used the cannabis spray reported improved sleep and significant improvement in pain levels. Overall, the treatment showed a statistically significant change in comparison to the control group.

“These findings demonstrate that, in a meaningful proportion of otherwise treatment- resistant patients, clinically important improvements in pain, sleep quality and SGIC (Subject Global Impression of Change) of the severity of their condition are obtained with THC/CBD spray,” the researchers concluded. “THC/CBD spray was well tolerated and no new safety concerns were identified.”

This study focused on patients with allodynia, but cannabis has been shown to help with neuropathic pain associated other ailments, too. Here are just a few of the studies on the effect of cannabis on neuropathic pain:

A new study may explain why people who do not have celiac disease or wheat allergy nevertheless experience a variety of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms after ingesting wheat and related cereals. The findings suggest that these individuals have a weakened intestinal barrier, which leads to a body-wide inflammatory immune response.

Dealing with any mental health or substance abuse issue is tough. It can often feel like no one really understands what you’re going through. But there’s a growing movement to change that by employing people who can better empathize with patients.

Peer specialists are people who have personally struggled with mental health or substance abuse problems but are now in recovery and helping others. They work for community behavioral health centers, psychiatric inpatient facilities and other health-care providers.

“These programs are proliferating everywhere you look. There’s a lot of evidence to show that peers can support and acclimate someone to a new life of recovery,” said Kim Nelson, the regional administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. She worked as a peer specialist for a decade before landing her current job.

In Nebraska, peer specialists are saving providers' money and reducing readmission rates.

“Thirty day readmissions for mental health patients is usually around 30 percent nationally. We had been hovering around 20 percent before implementing the program. Now we’re down to about 13 percent,” said Linda Knudsen, education coordinator of the Bryan Medical Center, a nonprofit health center in Lincoln, Neb.

The National Association is pleased to report that on July 22, 2016, President Obama signed S. 524, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA) into law.

The legislation was signed unceremoniously as Congress is recessed and the White House is disappointed (*see the President's statement below) that funding that could have been included in the final bill was not. While The National Association and much of the addiction service profession shares some of that disappointment, it is important that we recognize the significant value of this law. 

The National Association worked hard with our unified colleagues in the addiction services policy advocacy community to make this law a reality. Our members joined the effort and made calls to their representatives. The policy advocacy efforts of our professional society were successful.   

CARA addresses six pillars of a comprehensive response to addiction: prevention, treatment, recovery support, criminal justice reform, overdose reversal, and law enforcement. CARA includes:

Here’s a really catchy new educational song about wireless radiation,  via theElectricSense youtube channel.

I wish I knew who “Disco Star Power” was, and where to find what else they have done, but a search did not reveal those secrets.

It reminds me of some old Brazilian psychedelic pop I used to enjoy, simple melody and music, and the singer has a beautiful soft voice.

Have a listen, and maybe learn something new too!

If you prefer getting your research information by watching and listening  instead of reading, here are a couple of video presentations by the esteemed Dr Stephen J. Genuis, who is one of the leading experts on  environmental health.

In these presentations he discusses the increases in chronic illness and mental health problems, chemical and other causes and effects,  shortcomings in our health care systems, as well as some treatment options to improve health.

I’ve also linked to related research for those of you who like to read.

WE HAVE all experienced the influence of gut bacteria on our emotions. Just think how you felt the last time you had a stomach bug. Now it is becoming clear that certain gut bacteria can positively influence our mood and behaviour. The way they achieve this is gradually being uncovered, raising the possibility of unlocking new ways to treat neurobehavioural disorders such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

We acquire our intestinal microbes immediately after birth, and live in an important symbiotic relationship with them. There are far more bacteria in your gut than cells in your body, and their weight roughly equals that of your brain. These bacteria have a vast array of genes, capable of producing hundreds if not thousands of chemicals, many of which influence your brain. In fact, bacteria produce some of the same molecules as those used in brain signalling, such as dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Furthermore, the brain is predominantly made of fats, and many of these fats are also produced by the metabolic activity of bacteria.

(Subscription required for more of the article)

A new SAMHSA Report highlights the correlation of exposure to traumatic events, the occurrence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and negative health and behavioral health outcomes. This report was developed from a study on the characteristics of adults exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and adults who had PTSS, and their association with health and behavioral health conditions.

The study found that adults exposed to PTEs tended to be older, veterans, and non-Hispanic white. It also found that they tended to have other health conditions, such as asthma, high blood pressure, sinusitis, ulcer, and doctor-diagnosed anxiety and depression. Those exposed to one or more PTEs were more likely to engage in illicit drug use, binge drinking, and heavy drinking and have substance use disorders, than adults who had not experienced PTEs. Similarly, those who had experienced PTEs were more likely to have  mental illness, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), serious psychological distress, major depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts in the past year. This study is important because trauma exposure and PTSD are associated with significant social, personal, and economic costs.